THE ASSOCIATED BOARD OF THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC
ABRSM motivates musical achievement through internationally recognised examination and assessment of students, professional development of teachers and provision of published resources and online learning via its websites, apps and audio and video resources. ABRSM makes significant donations towards music education each year including scholarships to the four Royal Schools of Music.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity generated a net income of £4,859,000 for the year ended 31 January 2025, with unrestricted funds standing at £25,499,000. Per the trustees' report, general funds of £18,400,000 exceed the stated reserves policy target of £14,700,000, indicating a strong liquidity position. The charity confirmed it has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“ABRSM made contributions of £1,000,000 (2024: £500,000) to each of four Royal Schoois of Music or their charitable trusts. Two representatives from each of these organisations sit on the Governing Body.” — page 56
“During the year Professor Colin Lawson was due £15 (2024: £0) in royalties by ABRSM (Publishing) Limited on normal commercial terms.” — page 57
“ABRSM made contributions of £1,000,000 (2024: £500,000) to each of four Royal Schoois of Music or their charitable trusts. Two representatives from each of these organisations sit on the Governing Body.” — page 56
“During the year Professor Colin Lawson was due £15 (2024: £0) in royalties by ABRSM (Publishing) Limited on normal commercial terms.” — page 57
“The charity has a wholly owned subsidiary company, The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (Publishing) Limited (ABRSM Publishing), the results of which are consolidated in these financial statements.” — page 5
In the news
- Westminster Choir College partners with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
- Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music to present 100 music students with certificates
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 01926395
Company officers (Companies House)
- CARTER, Sarah Jane on trustee list
- DOYLE, Roberta on trustee list
- NJOKU-GOODWIN, Jamie Emeka Amafamuna on trustee list
- ROBB, Georgina Alison on trustee list
- WILLIAMS, James Wyndham on trustee list
- REID, Gavin Donald on trustee list
- HARRY, Deborah Rachel Ruth on trustee list
- BHANJI, Abdul Fazal on trustee list
- DI LORENZO, Karen Victoria not on trustee list
- HALES, Antony John on trustee list
- WISNIEWSKI, Damian Mark Alan on trustee list
- SHARKEY, Jeffrey Neil on trustee list
- MERRICK, Linda Joyce, Professor on trustee list
- PORTER, Kevin Andrew on trustee list
- FREEMAN ATTWOOD, Jonathan, Professor on trustee list
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/01/2025)
Trustees
- Antony John HALESchair
- Abdul Bhanji
- Damian Mark Alan Wisniewski
- Deborah Harry
- Gavin Reid
- Georgina Robb
- James Williams
- Jamie Njoku-Goodwin
- KEVIN PORTER
- Karen Di Lorenzo
- PROF Jeffrey Neil Sharkey
- PROF LINDA MERRICK
- PROFESSOR JONATHAN FREEMAN-ATTWOOD
- Roberta Doyle
- Sarah Jane Carter
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2025 | £50.9m | £46.2m |
| 31/01/2024 | £48.9m | £41.9m |
| 31/01/2023 | £45.5m | £38.2m |
| 31/01/2022 | £42.5m | £35.2m |
| 31/01/2021 | £23.4m | £31.4m |
Common questions
Is THE ASSOCIATED BOARD OF THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity generated a net income of £4,859,000 for the year ended 31 January 2025, with unrestricted funds standing at £25,499,000. Per the trustees' report, general funds of £18,400,000 exceed the stated reserves policy target of £14,700,000, indicating a strong liquidity position. The charity confirmed it has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe UK LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION | 3 | £1.6m |
| THE ALBERT AND EUGENIE FROST MUSIC TRUST CIO | 3 | £108k |
| MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND | 2 | £835k |
| THE KARLSSON JATIVA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 2 | £390k |
| Q CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £207k |
| THE MILA CHARITABLE ORGANISATION | 2 | £175k |
| THE VANNECK CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £125k |
| THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST | 2 | £50k |
Charities like this
- EARLY MUSIC AS EDUCATION
- THE PREMISES MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME
- THE MUSIC FOR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
- THE MUSIC IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS TRUST
- THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC AWARDS FUND
- THE ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC IN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ASSOCIATED BOARD OF THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC | £50.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| EARLY MUSIC AS EDUCATION | £137k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| THE PREMISES MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME | £170k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE MUSIC FOR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | £608k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE MUSIC IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS TRUST | £1.1m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC AWARDS FUND | £1.9m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |